Three tribal leaders outline the steps their tribes are taking to strengthen long-term economic and cultural resilience, and the key priorities for their gaming and entertainment enterprises. Here is what they had to say…
Jake Keyes, Chairman
Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma
Cimarron Casino – Perkins, OK, Ioway Casino – Chandler, OK
cimarroncasino.com / iowaycasino.com / iowanation.org
RESILIENCE: Currently, we are revamping the way we handle our funds by putting our money to work for us. Investment strategies have been adjusted and we are setting long-term strategies for how increased revenue from gaming will be handled. We want to set a foundation that protects those revenues so they will be used in a way that sets us up for success seven generations into the future. Utilizing increased revenue for the creation of economic development outside of gaming is a priority, as well as creating a more robust cultural department that includes a language revitalization program to save our language, so that our future generations will still have a strong connection to what it truly means to be Ioway.
GAMING: Without a doubt, our focus at this time is getting our new Harrah’s Oklahoma Casino up and running. We are currently scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2026. We have already begun work on the second stage of that project, which is the hotel. This project will change our tribe in a way that we haven’t seen in a very long time. We are also working with other tribes and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association on ways to ensure sports betting is done in a way that allows the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma to be a part of the future gaming industry in Oklahoma, while also ensuring legislation is done in a way that doesn’t impede on the gaming compact our Oklahoma tribes have fought so hard to protect and the great benefit it has provided to the State of Oklahoma.
Cody Martinez, Chairman
Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
Sycuan Casino Resort – El Cajon, CA
sycuan.com / sycuantribe.com
RESILIENCE: The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation is focused on developing a diverse economy that will support essential government operations and programs for its members for many generations to come. Sycuan continues to operate a successful gaming resort property in addition to expanding into non-gaming hospitality in the San Diego region with acquisition and operation of the Singing Hills Golf Courses and the US Grant Hotel. Most recently, Sycuan has become the first tribe to acquire a major interest in professional men’s sports via its investment and governance in the San Diego Football Club – the 30th franchise in Major League Soccer.
The Sycuan Band is one of 12 Kumeyaay bands in the San Diego region. We continue to ingrain the Kumeyaay culture into our community events throughout the year, as well as Kumeyaay curriculum in our education support programs. We also enjoy collaborating with the other Kumeyaay bands to promote cultural awareness and protect cultural resources.
GAMING: Sycuan operates in a busy gaming market here in San Diego. While many of the 10 gaming properties in the region offer many similar options in regard to gaming products, Sycuan strives to differentiate itself by offering superior customer service, cleanliness and robust dining and entertainment options. Utilizing our expansive pool space, the “Summer at Sycuan” promotion is an example of how we strive to make Sycuan stand above our competition.
Sandra Pattea, President
Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort – Fort McDowell, AZ
wekopacasinoresort.com / fmyn.org
RESILIENCE: Gaming remains the cornerstone of our economy, but we have also diversified into enterprises that strengthen our long-term stability. These include the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort and Conference Center, two championship golf courses, an RV park, and Fort McDowell Adventures, which hosts weddings, trail rides, cultural tours, and other events. Longstanding enterprises, such as our sand and gravel operation and the Fort McDowell Farm, also continue to provide important contributions to the tribal economy.
Equally vital is cultural preservation. Our creation story is permanently displayed on the flooring of the casino atrium, and the resort hotel’s windows are arranged asymmetrically to symbolize the weave patterns of our baskets. The Cultural Department offers Yavapai language classes, produces audio and video recordings of native speakers, and works with a grant-funded linguist to refine the written spelling of Yavapai words. Our cultural director also shares stories of past generations who overcame great challenges, reminding us of the resilience that guides our future.
GAMING: Our primary focus is completing the rebranding transition from Fort McDowell Casino to the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort. Our facility opened in 2020 during the pandemic. We are now implementing a comprehensive strategy with a refreshed new image, a strong social media presence, updated graphics, new commercials, and visual storytelling designed to solidify the We-Ko-Pa brand.
While we continue to rely on seasonal visitors, we are expanding efforts to engage the surrounding community by using targeted offers and marketing drawn from our customer database. Entertainment, historically underemphasized, is now a priority. Featuring nationally recognized acts has already generated a sharp increase in both new guests and returning customers who had not visited in years.
